Hinckley ended the year with an unstoppable performance that simply overpowered a Students side that was never allowed to settle during the game. True, the side that faced Hinckley in the Christmas derby bore little resemblance to that which had dealt out a severe hiding to the Hornets back in the September sunshine at Epinal Way but it was nevertheless gratifying to see Hinckley overwhelm them to secure maximum points and further ease their relegation worries. It was a great way for Hinckley centre Mitch Lamb to celebrate his 250th appearance for the Club and the win lifts Hinckley to tenth in the table. With tough games to come against Cinderford and Camborne in the New Year though, a win here was essential.

Hornets scored six tries in all, including a brace from Nigel Mukerati, to two for the Students but in truth it could have been more. If there was a disappointment at all it was that Hinckley didn’t make the half century. Callum Dacey had probably his best game with the boot landing seven of his eight kicks, Will Callan looked impressive, and Rafe Witheat was able to show his blistering pace to good effect, but it was difficult to single out individual performances in what was such a good all-round performance. There were some outstanding tries on show but it was probably Hinckley’s speed and aggression in defence that won the game. Loughborough were never given the freedom to run with the ball.

DOR Chris Campbell was more than happy with the afternoon’s work. ‘It was an excellent performance this afternoon and a great one to go into the Xmas break with. We showed some great confidence in attack and fronted up well in defence.’

‘It was great to see in particular Will Callan put in his best performance to date as a constant threat, and young Evan Carey also had a very good first half.’

‘The league is tight down in the bottom half, and every point is going to count at the end of the season. Taking a maximum five points today and denying Students anythimg could prove hugely important.’

It was obvious almost from the start that it was likely to be an uncomfortable afternoon for the Students as they struggled to cope with Hinckley’s powerful runners. Hinckley opened the scoring after just eight minutes when, having forced a knock-on from a Loughborough scrum 5m out, the Hinckley pack pushed their opposite numbers over the line on their ball for Mukerati to touch down. Dacey converted.

The second try came seven minutes later. Dacey collected a kick out of defence on his own 10m line, threw the ball wide to Callan who outpaced the oncoming defender, chipped ahead, and won the footrace to the line. Again, Dacey added the extras.

14 became 21 as the game entered the second quarter. An attempted chip over the top by Students was taken by Hinckley just inside their own half and fed wide to Witheat who was simply too quick for the Loughborough defence. It was a great solo effort.

Loughborough did pull one back shortly before half-time when, after Hinckley had held the Students’ pack from a 5m line-out, the ball was spun down the line and right-wing Louis Nancekivell found himself in space to run the ball in. Ben Taylor added the extras but when Dacey slotted a long-range penalty with the last kick of the half there was little doubt about who was in control.

The point was further emphasised eight minutes into the second period when, from a Hinckley scrum just inside the Loughborough half, Ben Pointon fed Dacey out wide. He was hauled down just short of the line but the support was there and Mukerati eventually forced his way over to claim the bonus point.

Dacey added another penalty to take it to 34-7 and, a couple of minutes afterwards, captain Oli Bee eventually drove over after a Loughborough line-out on halfway had been turned over.

Hinckley’s final try came with ten minutes left. Hornets recovered a loose ball on halfway sent the ball right and Matt Guilfoyle was able to round the Students’ defence for a deceptively simple score. Dacey’s conversion made it 46-7.

There was still time for a try saving tackle from Witheat who gave his quarry a 10m start and still hauled him down before the line, a yellow card for Jack Ramshaw, a consolation score for the Students, and a Ben Pointon break from the base of a scrum inside his own 22m which almost saw him go the length of the field, but it was all a bit academic by that time. Hinckley had their five points and had reclaimed local bragging rights over their nearest rivals.

Nick Robinson